11 Apr 2012

New Zealand sailor hailed as hero after 5th leg of Volvo Ocean Race

9:18 am on 11 April 2012

The New Zealand Round the World sailor Brad Marsh is being hailed as Groupama's hero after their third placing following an incident packed 5th leg of the Volvo Ocean Race from Auckland to Brazil.

Marsh badly injured his hand climbing up to cut away the main sail when they broke their mast last week.

He could have left the boat to have his serious injury treated in Punta del Este, but he decided to stay on board and see the team over the line with their patched up mast and rigging.

Despite suffering from shock Marsh says he remembers being told he was going to have a staple gun used to patch up his wrist.

Groupama has regained second place overall behind Telefonica with four offshore legs remaining.

Meanwhile Team New Zealand's Camper is heading south at speed as the team tries to make up lost ground towards Cape Horn in strong running conditions.

Once they round Cape Horn, Camper will head north, aiming to stay in front of the low pressure system to ensure a fast trip to Itajai.

Camper Skipper Chris Nicolson says they're looking to get to Itajai in the next eight days and says the incentive is to get a fourth place and valuable points.